Enjoy the wintery weather with a relaxing walk through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. With more than 5,000 acres of pasture, woodland and marsh, catch a glimpse of migrating geese, herons and eagles. There is also a 4.2-mile auto tour route in the River S Unit for those wanting to visit parts of the refuge. Fishing, hunting and hiking permitted in some areas. Consider joining the Christmas Bird Count.
Hours: Open daily during daylight.
Where: River S Unit, on South Hillhurst Road, south of Pioneer Street, Ridgefield. South Ninth Avenue becomes South Hillhurst Road. Carty Unit, on Northwest Main Avenue, north of Pioneer Street, Ridgefield.
Admission: $3 per vehicle.
Telephone: 360-887-4106.
On the Web: http://ridgefieldfriends.org or http://fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges.
The wildlife refuge is one of several options for getting out and about this weekend. Others include Christmas lights and movies for those seeking thrills or chills.
2. A raceway of Christmas lights
Jubitz Winter Wonderland is the region’s largest drive-through holiday light show, letting visitors enjoy the numerous Christmas light displays on the track at Portland International Raceway from the comfort of their vehicles.
When: 5-11 p.m. Saturday and 5-9 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd., Portland.
Admission: Cash only: $6 for motorcycles; $16 for cars; $18 for vans with eight or more people; $20 for limos or motorhomes. Discount coupons available at Jubitz Travel Center.
On the Web: http://www.globaleventsgrouppdx.com/wonderland.
3. Embark on colorful adventure with ‘Tintin’
Jump aboard this animated action adventure directed by Steven Spielberg. Young intrepid reporter Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell) is swept up into a mystery of a hidden treasure when he buys a model of an old ship. Before Tintin and his faithful dog, Snowy, can locate the treasure, they’re kidnapped and placed in the company of drunken Capt. Haddock (voiced by Andy Serkis). They must try to beat a sinister collector named Sakharine (voiced by Daniel Craig) to the treasure hidden by Haddock’s ancestor. “The Adventures of Tintin” is rated PG.
Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver; various Regal Cinemas locations.
Admission: Varies by theater.
Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.
On the Web: http://www.battlegroundcinema.com, http://cinetopia.com or http://www.fandango.com.
4. Christmas lights to the next level
Drive by houses that have gone all out with Christmas decorations, including lights that dance in synch with music to neighborhoods with multiple homes decked out. A list of decorated homes and neighborhoods can be found online along with an interactive map.
When: Prime viewing time between 5-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, subject to individual homes.
Where: Riveridge: 11806 S.E. Riveridge Drive; Proebstel: 20306 N.E. 68th St.; Central Park: 1601 X St.; Lincoln: 200 block of Northwest 42nd Street; Hazel Dell – Starcrest: 11001 N.E. 11th Ave.; Fisher-Mill Plain: 2524 N.E. 176th Ave.; 2517 N.E. 176th Ave.; 18801 N.E. 23rd St.; Evergreen Highlands: 5701 Texas Drive; Ellsworth Springs: 901 S.E. 99th Ave.; North Salmon Creek: 706 N.E. 134th St.; Orchards: 14015 N.E. 70th St.; Pioneer Meadows: 16304 N.E. 63rd St.; Sunnyside: 9013 N.E. 93rd Ave.; Battle Ground: 11110 N.E. 269th St.; Camas: 4430 N.W. Crystal Court; 2707 N.W. Leadbetter Parkway; Ridgefield: Neighbors 1900 N. Fifth Way; Washougal: 1823 G St.; Twenty-four homes 51st Street.
On the Web: http://www.columbian.com/clark-county-christmas-lights-map/.
5. ‘Dragon Tattoo’ gives chills for Christmas
Based on Stieg Larsson’s literary blockbuster, the film follows disgraced reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) who’s hired by a reclusive businessman (Christopher Plummer) to solve a cold case, the disappearance of his niece. Blomkvist is joined by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a genius hacker whose own issues fuel her pursuit for justice. The duo becomes caught in a twisted web of information, family ties, greed and dark control. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is rated R.
